BROOKSVILLE – On Saturday, July 27th, HCSD’s Parent Academy team, along with 85 school district and community volunteers, arrived at Nature Coast Technical High School to host their annual “Back To School Bash”. Only in its 3rd year, the event reached an attendance milestone. Parent Academy staff estimate this year’s event brought in approximately 5,000 attendees – almost 2,000 more than last year!
Initially, the “Back To School Bash” was developed to help Hernando families reduce the cost of getting their children ready for the new school year by offering free school supplies and immunizations. Now, however, the event has added free physicals, health screenings, a variety of services including haircuts and voter registration!
“Over the last 2 years, we’ve seen the needs of many families move beyond school supplies. So, we reached out to local community groups, organizations and business partners and asked if they could help,” Parent Academy Coordinator, Ivette Mendoza said. “Over 41 organizations committed to the event. Because of their generous donation of supplies and services, this year’s event was able to expand services and support to even more families.”
On Saturday, the lines began to form early, quickly reaching from the gym to the front of the school. Inside, Parent Academy staff and volunteers were ready and stationed at each venue. Families picked up backpacks, visited local non- profit representatives in the cafeteria and received immunizations along with vision, diabetic and dental screenings organized in the gym and the mobile dental office. If they needed a ‘little taken off the top’, students could get a trim in the school’s cosmetology room.
“It was amazing to see how many people came out to the event and both parents and their kids seemed very satisfied with the experience. It was a really happy event,” Florida Department of Health Hernando (FDOH) representative Nina Mattei said.
The results of the Back To School Bash speak to its success. Over 1,200 students received backpacks, 300 health screenings were completed, almost 100 students were immunized, approximately 300 physicals were conducted, and 104 haircuts were given!
“The Parent Academy dedicates itself to identifying barriers to student learning and finding solutions. We know that those first days of school are critical, and we don’t want any student missing out because they lack resources,” Mendoza said. “The Back To School Bash is one way we help our students start strong and with our sponsors and volunteers, we were able to meet a true need.”
“With their incredible generosity and support of the event, our sponsors and volunteers sent a clear message – educating students is at its best when it is a community collaboration. That’s what makes Hernando a special place to live,” Superintendent of Schools, John Stratton said.
It is with great appreciation that we thank our participants and sponsors without whom this event could not be offered:
1. Family Chiropractic Center for Wellness
2. Premier Community Health Care
3. Florida Department of Health Hernando
4. Spring Hill Nature Coast and High Point Lions Club
5. Hernando Christian Ministerial Association
6. Crosspoint Church
7. Li’l Teeth by Oloph
8. Great Clips
9. Rotary Club of Brooksville, Rotary Club of Spring Hill, Rotary Club of Spring Hill Central
10. Hernando County Adult Education
11. SunTech Education
12. United Way of Hernando County
13. Hernando County Education Foundation
14. Dawn Center
15. Saint Leo University
16. YMCA of the Suncoast
17. Supervisor of Elections
18. UF/IFAS Extension – 4H Youth Development
19. Hernando E-School
20. HCSD School Choice
21. Lifesouth Blood Centers
22. Hernando Community Coalition
23. Live Oak Theatre Company
24. HCSD Exceptional Student Education
25. Hernando County Library
26. Big Brothers Big Sisters
27. Mid Florida Community Services (HS)
28. HCSD Students & Families in Transition
29. Ability Tree Florida
30. Early Learning Coalition
31. NAMI Hernando
32. HCSD Food & Nutrition
33. Boys & Girls Club of Hernando
34. Suncoast Credit Union
35. Pasco Hernando State College
36. HCSD CTE/Dual Enrollment
37. Kelly Educational Staffing
38. Girls Scouts of West Florida
39. A New Generation
40. United Health Care
41. DJ Midj
